Photo By Cpl. Paul S. Martinez | Competitors in the North American Grappling Association pose with their awards after a...... read more read more
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TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - A Marine Corps representative with Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport, Calif., seized the opportunity to participate in the North American Grappling Association mixed martial arts tournament in San Jose, Calif., March 22, 2014.
Color Sgt. Liam Dowthwaite, Mountain Warfare Training Group chief instructor, MCMWTC, entered the Master’s Division alongside a group of other trained fighters in both jiu-jitsu gi and jiu-jitsu no gi tournaments.
Dowthwaite won gold in the gi-style category and silver in the no gi, balancing concentration and training for two tournament styles that differed in equipment, strategy and rules.
“We were all nervous, but pulled together as a team,” Dowthwaite said.
According to Dowthwaite, the fights revolved around submission grappling. Fighters were awarded points for taking down opponents, holding him/her in positions and ultimately forcing the other to tap out.
To prepare for the event, Dowthwaite and his team trained with several martial arts masters at the Ernie Reyes West Coast Martial Arts Gym in Santa Clara, Calif.
“We underwent cross fit-style training, stamina conditioning and jiu-jitsu grappling in preparation,” Dowthwaite said.
When it came time to perform, the success proved to be a combination of rigorous training and unity between the team that stood before all competitors.
“The most valuable factor was camaraderie between the whole team,” Dowthwaite said. “Fights were consecutive. In between we would rehydrate, get food and get moral support.”
With this victory, the team intends to continue their path of training and competition. According to Dowthwaite, another fight is scheduled May 3 in Reno, Nev.
“Credit is due to all of our training partners and instructors,” Dowthwaite said. “If it wasn’t for their efforts, we would have come back empty handed.”
| Date Taken: | 03.22.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.27.2014 19:10 |
| Story ID: | 122893 |
| Location: | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 286 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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